Christian Fiction vs. Fiction with a Christian Worldview

Yes, we publish Christian fiction too. If you’re confused, you’re not alone. The difference is how much faith is a part of the story.

If there is a very definite faith element, the novel is Christian fiction.

If there is no mention of faith, but all moral issues in the story are viewed from a Christian point of view (i.e. gambling/lying/stealing/extra-marital affairs etc. are presented as morally wrong, the ends don’t justify the means, immorality is not painted as good) and it doesn’t contain excessive violence, gratuitous sexual scene, or profanity, then it is fiction with a Christian worldview.

If the characters are Christian, but their faith is not a part of the theme or plot, it is fiction with a Christian worldview. This type of book, however, could fit under either a Christian or a general market publisher, therefore it is often called a crossover book.

Since a part of our mission here at Castle Gate Press is to promote a Christian worldview in the general marketplace, we prefer to use the more general term and state that we publish fiction with a Christian worldview because it encompasses any novel with morals that line up with Scripture.

In other words, we publish both Christian fiction AND fiction with a Christian worldview. Either way, you can be guaranteed that books from Castle Gate Press will be quality fiction which will not offend Christian beliefs.

Comments

In the case of Fantasy like C.S. Lewis’ Narnia what would that be considered? Just curious since my series is in a parallel dimensional world to Earth called Eirinth that has the Christian faith background with a character like Aslan in being another manifestation of Jesus but mine is not visually present even though my character of Tenrai Daystar was mortal at one point on Eirinth like Jesus was on Earth. I’m working on final revisions to create an e-book while my Agent is working for traditional publishing in New York. I just got the demo of “My Captain”, the first song I partially use in BREAKING THE SHACKLES, book 1 of my “Rebirth of Eirinth” novel series. I’m working with my record producer to get a radio cut to release. If you visit my website you can see the artwork I commissioned and own that I use for promotion that show the main characters that delve into Eirinth’s parallel Faith to begin to restore their world from the evil men and demons that are trying to destroy it. You can also see the video I created using the artwork set to an earlier part of the song. I have read a lot of your posts that have helped me in so many aspects so THANK YOU! As my Eirinthian Blessing says, “May Tenrai Daystar shine down on you with blessings beyond sublime dreams!” Tonja Klein(c)2012

The Narnia series are definitely crossover books. It can be read at different levels Many people read it and just enjoy the story. I know of many who read it as a child, but didn’t get the Christian allegory until they read it as an adult. Wonderful series for so many reasons!

You’ve chosen a great example to follow with your story, Tonja. If you’re interested in submitting to Castle Gate Press, we’d love to take a look at it. You can find our submission guidelines and the e-mail address to send it to here: http://www.castlegatepress.com/submissions/

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